The United Kingdom (UK) has lifted quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travelers from most European countries, the United States, Canada and other Amber List countries. Travelers will need proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test result and a Day 2 COVID-19 test after arrival in the UK.
The Amber List is part of the UK’s system of categorizing countries according to threat levels for COVID-19. Green List countries have the lowest threshold of restrictions, requiring only a negative COVID-19 test before arrival and a test on Day 2 after entry, whether vaccinated or not. Amber List countries require a negative test result taken within three days of travel, a Day 2 test result, and for the unvaccinated, a Day 8 test result along with a 10-day quarantine. Red List countries require a 10-day hotel quarantine and 2 COVID-19 tests. Only UK citizens and residents are allowed to enter from a Red List destination.
Travelers from countries on the Amber List must complete an passenger locator form online any time within 48 hours before arrival in the UK. They must also show proof of vaccination to an airline, tour organizer or border control agent. Proof of vaccination depends on the passenger’s vaccination program. Citizens/residents of the EU must show an EU Digital COVID Certificate (EU DCC), showing they have a full course of an EMA or Swissmedic-approved vaccine in one of the listed European countries. Others may show either a digital or paper certificate. Travelers from the US must show a CDC card showing they have a full course of an FDA-approved vaccine in the USA, along with proof of residency, such as a USA passport, visa or Green Card. ‘Fully vaccinated’ means the traveler must have had a final dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 whole days before arriving in England. (The FDA has issued emergency use authorizations for the Janssen [Johnson & Johnson], Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines.)
Travelers must also book and pay for the Day 2 test before traveling and leave enough time for it to be delivered to their address in the UK. Anyone who does not take the required test will be fined. It does not matter how long they are visiting, travelers must still book and pay for the Day 2 test and are required to enter the booking reference number on their passenger locator form.
Countries on Green and Amber lists can change, depending on developments related to the virus. Before planning travel, check the UK Government website for the latest information. SCI will continue following these developments. To receive news coverage on travel issues affecting hunters, sign up for SCI News, an email newsletter distributed every other week (scroll to the very bottom on the website homepage at www.safariclub.org). SCI members may also contact SCI’s Hunter Information Service at www.safariclub.org/contact for the latest information on hunting travel.
